Very interesting, it seems that China now woos anything/anybody/anydeity that the Dalai Lama opposes...

Read below, it says that Thaye Thinley Dorje, a major rival to the position of XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa, visited Hong Kong in February, this obviously could not have been organised in Hong Kong without Beijing’s approval.

"The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s United Front Work Department (UFWD) is obviously wooing Thaye Thinley Dorje", the report says.

Thaye Thinley Dorje is the other contender of the Karmapa's seat, against Ughyen Thinley Dorje who is supported by the Dalai Lama.

So we have an interesting point here now: China supports the Karmapa who is opposite of the Dalai Lama's choice....so, China will also support the deity who is opposite of the Dalai Lama's choice - DORJE SHUGDEN, right?

Good sign for the growth of Dorje Shugden in the upcoming most powerful/most populated country in the world??!!! What do you think?

New Delhi, India -- Foreign Affairs establishments of major nations usually include, among their practitioners of ‘realpolitik’, a select band of Sinologists, Kremlinologists and the like. China’s foreign affairs establishment appears to have a group of professionals specialising in kasaya (garments worn by Buddhist monks and nuns) politics, or ‘kasayapolitik’! These experts are mainly in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s United Front Work Department (UFWD) and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chinese government support for Buddhism is increasing

Since the CCP indicated approval of Buddhism slightly over five years ago, describing it as an “ancient Chinese religion”, the Chinese authorities have sought to use it to achieve strategic and domestic objectives.

They convened World Buddhist Forums to appeal to the Buddhists in China as well as portray to neighbouring, predominantly Buddhist, countries that China’s communist regime is tolerant of Buddhism. It is also projected China’s ‘soft power’.

Vice President Xi Jinping, then Party Secretary of Zhejiang province and now tipped to take over as China’s President in 2012, helped organise the first World Buddhist Forum in 2006. A large number of foreign monks, nuns and scholars were invited to this Forum, where Beijing projected the China-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyancain Norbu.

The second World Buddhist Forum, held at Wuxi in 2009, had expanded objectives and held its concluding ceremony in Taiwan. It also sought to project to Buddhists in China’s neighbourhood that China’s communist regime ‘approved’ the religion. While Gyancain Norbu was again present, this time Beijing emphasised that the Dalai Lama was not invited as he was a ‘disruptive element’. A third World Buddhist Forum is planned to be held in Hongkong in end April 2012.

Amid these initiatives, China accelerated preparations for the post-Dalai Lama phase. In 2007, it promulgated regulations that only Beijing can approve ‘living Buddhas’ and high lamas, including the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama. It increased interaction with Tibetan Buddhist ‘traditions’, high-ranking lamas and others critical of the Dalai Lama. Beijing simultaneously began wooing the Karma Kagyu ‘tradition’ of Tibetan Buddhism, which exercises considerable influence in large areas of Tibet and the mountainous Indo-Himalayan border belt. Large numbers of Buddhists in Ladakh follow this ‘tradition’ as do the majority of those resident in Sikkim and Bhutan.

The Karma Kagyu is presently riven with dissension with four claimants to the position of XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa. Ughyen Thinley Dorje, recognised as the XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa by the Dalai Lama and Beijing, escaped from Tsurphu monastery near Lhasa into India in 2000. While suspicions about the manner of his escape linger, a Hong Kong source recently claimed that the day after his escape Beijing’s State Council sought confirmation from an interlocutor as to whether Ughyen Thinley Dorje had escaped to India.

In this backdrop, the visit to Hongkong in February by Thaye Thinley Dorje, a major rival to the position of XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa, and the Hongkong Buddhist Association’s convention in October to felicitate the Karma Kagyu ‘tradition’, assume significance.

Neither could have been organised in Hong Kong without Beijing’s approval. The UFWD is obviously wooing Thaye Thinley Dorje.

Meanwhile, after a three-day conclave with senior Tibetan Buddhist leaders in Dharamsala mainly to discuss his reincarnation, the Dalai Lama criticised Chinese authorities for manipulating Tibetan religious beliefs and practices for political ends. He described the regulations promulgated in 2007, as “outrageous and disgraceful”. Asserting that “they are waiting for my death”, he cautioned Tibetans to “bear in mind that, apart from the reincarnation recognised through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China”. He also exhibited his spiritual authority, pre-empted the Chinese, and accorded official recognition to ‘Jonang’ as the new, fifth ‘tradition’ of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the interregnum, tension has risen in Tibetan areas in China with twelve reported instances of self-immolation by ordained monks and nuns. Contact between Beijing and the Dalai Lama’s envoys, however, remain suspended.

As China prepares for the Party Congress in October 2012, prospects for any change in the policy on Tibet appears remote. The entire incumbent top leadership last year approved the long term policies adopted for Tibet. Zhang Qingli, the Tibet Party Secretary till August 2011, credited with saying “the Dalai Lama is a wolf in monk’s robes, a devil with a human face but the heart of a beast”, is also likely to be promoted to the powerful Politburo.

His experience of managing the restive Xinjiang-Uyghur and Tibet Autonomous Regions will ensure him a say in policies relating to China’s minorities.

----------The author is a former Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India

This article certainly is interesting. Since Ughyen Thinley Dorje escaped from Tibet, has he become persona non grata with China even though he was recognised as the XVIIth Gyalwa Karmapa by both the Dalai Lama and Beijing? I had thought that this mutual recognition thing was interesting. So China is now wooing Thaye Thinley Dorje instead, to add to the Chinese endorsed Panchen Lama, Gyancain Norbu.

While i agree that China is wooing anything/anyone not endorsed by the Dalai Lama, I wonder why China hasn't more openly supported Dorje Shugden practice - i know that they have been indirectly supporting by allowing the monasteries freedom to practice, but they should build huge Dorje Shugden chapels in ALL their major cities. It would really be a political slap in the face of the Dalai Lama.

With the weight of the Chinese government behind Dorje Shugden, the practice would flourish far and wide throughout China. China needs sustainable economic growth - and Dorje Shugden can superficially provide that. The Chinese would initially be attracted to Dorje Shugden's promises of material wealth and stability, but in the long term, the merits gained by the practitioners would grant them the blessings of wisdom to be eventually open to the Dharma.

What i found interesting in this article also was that the "Chinese government support for Buddhism is increasing". I had read recently that the Chinese government was discouraging religion for government servants (No religion for Chinese Communist Party cadres, 19 Dec 2011, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/212827/no-religion-chinese-communist-party.html). However, these World Buddhist Forums certainly show that China is serious about promoting Buddhism as an 'ancient Chinese religion'! At least outwardly.

But if people practice Dorje Shugden with the motivation of putting DL down, and shorten DL life, is this a true Buddhist practitioner? And will the enlighten beings still help to fulfill the practitioner's will?

I believe that the Chinese government is working to develop an acceptance towards the growth of Buddhadharma in China because it:

1) Will give them a positive image in the international arena. Freedom of religious practice was something China was scorned for in the past. So making positive progress in this area will enhance China’s journey into its role as a world leading nation. This is especially when the Dalai Lama is being accused of destroying religious freedom for Dorje Shugden practitioners.2) Believes that Dharma is necessary and beneficial to its people during this period of rapid growth. China is a Buddhist nation and at the core of it, China believes in the benefit of Lord Buddha’s teachings.

As much as China sees it beneficial to have Buddhist practice return and flourish in China, it remains cautious as sudden promotion of anything can cause detrimental results such as fanatism. This is especially worrying as China encountered a very negative experience with the Fa Ren Gong in the past.

Despite the pulls in two directions, I have faith that China will find an effective manner to encourage the spread of Buddhism in China. With an autocratic system of government, once this direction is determined, it is highly likely that implementation will be rapid.

Mana. An interesting thought. I think you are right on. Doing what the Dalai Lama opposes would certainly be the direction that China want to take. After all they are the 'masters' of Tibet. Buddhism is an 'ancient Chinese religion' that has spread thru China to many other countries like Japan, Korea and South East Asia. So if the Dalai Lama opposes Dorje Shugden, China will not oppose. It will eventually support Dorje Shugdn openly. It would be great for the people of China if more practice Dorje Shugden as the Chinese becomes richer and richer. The other way is also true ie, if more Chinese practice Dorje Shugden they will become richer and richer. Nothing wrong with that. With DS practice, a least the Chinese will not only gain wealth but also gain the merits to practice the Dharma properly.

But if people practice Dorje Shugden with the motivation of putting DL down, and shorten DL life, is this a true Buddhist practitioner? And will the enlighten beings still help to fulfill the practitioner's will?

While the political direction may be to put HH Dalai Lama down, i don't think that the average Chinese national would be petitioning Dorje Shugden for that purpose. I would imagine that the average Chinese national would be more inclined to petition Dorje Shugden for their personal well being, be it having a stable job, good income, happy relationships - romantic or family, and all other general wishes.

How would you define a "true Buddhist practitioner" anyway? All these things - wealth, health etc - without a dharma motivation - would not be the signs of a "true Buddhist practitioner" in the sense that these are all secular wishes. I believe that Dorje Shugden, as an enlightened being, would help practitioners to fulfil certain samsaric wishes in order that the practitioners can gain faith. Also, if these secular needs are met, the practitioner would be able to invest more time into dharma study and practice.

Awesome post Mana! There's good hopes for DS to flourish once again in China and what more better to spread, propagate and proliferate DS's teachings and practice in the Land of the Dragon. China has always been liberal and open in providing religious 'freedom' to the people. Buddhism of all schools are flourishing in China regardless of it's focus with moderation. I've got a friend in China who has been sharing with me his views and what's going on there. The Buddhist scene there varies with the manjority going to temples for worship and basic classes.

like what shugdenprotect has mentioned earlier, it is true that the Chinese govt is very wary of religion being overtly practiced/promoted in light of their political views and past experiences. However, the govt is definitely promoting Buddhism from a different point which is historical preservation. The central govt has been pumping in money to restore Buddhist temples all over the country and have been busy promoting their works in hopes of a good return from tourism and historical study.

In time to come, I think the Chinese will be irked and worked up by HHDL and heavily promote whatever HHDL opposes; the Great Dorje Shugden. Let's all create causes for that here and now! I've just sent my friends in China copies of the comic book downloaded from here and they love it!

It is no doubt that China is against the Dalai Lama and whatever the Dalai Lama does or appoints will be opposed by the China government. It is good news that China is promoting Buddhism but they are promoting it as a culture instead of religion. They are still very cautious of anything too religious or too cultish, just like what happened with Fa Lun Gong. Because when somethings catches on in China, it catches on, and people join in droves. They do not want another revolution.

My friends in China told me that they cannot promote Buddhism openly and have public teachings. They have to do it on the pretext of culture. Even they could not invite lamas to give talks and teachings as it would be considered an illegal gathering and would need approval. Now they do it underground, where they have private gatherings in small groups to discuss teachings. If they are doing this, I'm sure there are lots of other groups doing the same all over China.

Dorje Shugden's practice will definitely flourish in China as the Chinese are very aggressive and influential. As we know, DS will grant them short term wishes like wealth and prosperity in order to attract them into long term practices i Buddhism. The Chinese will definitely be attracted to wealth!

I have also read that Emperor Kang Xi is Dorje Shugden himself. And he is an illustrious emperor in China's history. With this, Buddhism is lkie coming back to it's roots and for sure people will follow as it is practiced by the emperor and their ancestors.

I feel that in recent times, the Chinese Government are more relax and open up towards the growth of Buddhism in China and the number of Buddhist practitioners are increasing even though most of the time they cannot practice openly. It is a good sign that China now woos anything/anyone/any deity that HHDL opposes. If they are promoting Buddhism in an indirect way and allowing monasteries freedom to practice, eventually they will support Dorje Shugden practice. Chinese people are very into wealth and prosperity, Dorje Shugden practice will benefit them to acquire what they want. This will eventually make Dorje Shugden’s practice flourish in China.

Such good news to usher the new year! China is BIG. Anything that becomes popular in China will become popular in the world eventually!

Hence it is very good to know that Dorje Shugden will be accepted by the chinese. China will definitely be the gateway for Dorje Shugden to spread to the entire world! Any one in this forum from China or closely related? Do download all the available materials in dorjeshugden.com and spread it around!

china needs to heal decades of moral decay caused by the cultural revolution and other materialistic pursuits and goals. no other religion can heal this decay effectively without swaying or influencing them to political beliefs other than Buddhism, and even within Buddhism they need something big and powerful that can help. And Dorje Shugden can.

I am waiting for the day where Trode Kangshar is restored and the chapel restored to its former glory. That will benefit an infinite amount of people

May be that is what Dalai Lama has been planning: upset the China government with the Free Tibet thingy, and then spread Dorje Shugden practices

On the other hand, China government has a hate-love relationship with religion. They know that without religion, the people becomes very materialistic and a lot of crime will happen, but if they allow a religion to flourish, they are afraid it will get too big and too influential (look at what happened to Fa Lun Gong). They even go to the extend of inventing a new religion called "Confucius" (trying to turn the philosophy Confucius" into a religion) because they know the effectiveness of religion in creating a harmony society.

Yes, agree with Ensapa. The cultural revolution really threw a big bomb to China's religious culture. I have been to China 20 years ago. At that time, it's not easy to even find an incense there. No one wanted to talk about religion, they seemed trying to avoid this topic as it is considered very superstitious. However, I could still see old generation burning joss papers in front of their house in small alleys. Everything about ghost and god have to go underground.

Situation has become better since past few years. Although I still heard religious people being detained by police, being accused of illegal assembly, but overall they are more open now. Perhaps after seeing present moral decline and social problems arises from materialism, China Government also start to realize the importance of religious practices.

I hope with China Government trying to oppose HHDL, they will promote Dorje Shugden more. It sure will benefit millions of their people who is now desperately need a moral compass to guide them through their inner struggles.

the Chinese government has finally realized the error of its ways upon seeing the social ills and moral decay that has happened in China of late, that arises from the lack of a religion and a source of morality. And out of the many religions it has chosen Buddhism to help it recover from this. You dont here China throwing a convention for other religions, not even its own native one, Taoism but you see them throwing one for Buddhism. And that is a very powerful message.

While i agree that China is wooing anything/anyone not endorsed by the Dalai Lama, I wonder why China hasn't more openly supported Dorje Shugden practice - i know that they have been indirectly supporting by allowing the monasteries freedom to practice, but they should build huge Dorje Shugden chapels in ALL their major cities. It would really be a political slap in the face of the Dalai Lama.

I wonder if China is biding their time, waiting for the right moment before openly declaring support for Dorje Shugden. Perhaps they are waiting to see which direction gains more momentum and support. Especially to see which countries in the Western hemisphere support the movement of Dorje Shugden.

For sure, China's support for Dorje Shugden has nothing to do with human rights, nor with equality. It would be a political move, to undermine the Dalai Lama’s and the Tibetan Administration’s policies. But while they bide their time to decide, as interest in Dorje Shugden grows amonst the people, perhaps as government officials get curious and try Shugden’s practice, and as the effectiveness of his practice is experienced by the populace, they may promote him for the right reasons eventually. I hope that is the case.